Reborn As Mr. Coldwell's Wife
Chapter 99: Not A Spy

Chapter 99: Not A Spy

Ellen’s breath hitched slightly as she fully faced Edrick. Why did she have to run into Edrick now, of all times? Her heart was still pounding from what she had just witnessed inside the restaurant, and now this? It was as if the universe had conspired to throw every possible distraction her way.

Ellen forced a smile, hoping it didn’t look as awkward as it felt. "Hi, Edrick," she greeted him, her voice a bit strained. "I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were there earlier."

Edrick shook his head, a gentle smile playing on his lips as he looked at her with a mix of amusement and concern. "No need to apologize," he replied, his tone light. "I could see you were quite preoccupied with... whatever it was you were doing."

Ellen’s cheeks flushed slightly at his words, a wave of embarrassment washing over her. She wasn’t exactly sure how much he had seen, but it was clear she hadn’t been as discreet as she’d hoped. Still, attempted to regain her composure. "Yeah, I guess I was," she admitted, a small, nervous laugh escaping her lips. "So, what brings you here?" she asked, quickly shifting the focus away from herself.

Edrick raised the shopping bag in his hand, giving it a little shake. "Just buying a few things," he said casually, before tilting his head slightly and eyeing her with curiosity. "What about you? What are you doing here?"

Ellen’s eyes flicked down to her own grocery bags, still lying on the ground where she had dropped them in her haste to spy on Mason and Aubrey. She forced another smile and shrugged. "Same here," she said, her voice light. "Just doing some grocery shopping."

Edrick nodded, but there was a hint of something in his expression that made Ellen uneasy. He didn’t seem entirely convinced by her answer. "Right," he said slowly, his gaze drifting from her to the bags on the ground. Then, his eyes narrowed slightly as he looked back at her. "But what are you doing here? Like, right now?" He paused, his brow furrowing slightly as he asked the question. "Are you hiding?"

Ellen’s stomach dropped at the word. Hiding. Was that what she was doing? Her eyes darted to the spot where she was standing—so close to the wall, as if she was trying to blend into it. The realization hit her hard, and she swallowed nervously, her heart beating faster. She tried to laugh it off, but it came out sounding forced and awkward. "No, no," she stammered, her smile strained. "I’m not hiding."

Edrick’s gaze followed hers, taking in her position by the wall, his expression softening into a bemused smile. "You sure about that?" he asked, his voice teasing. He looked back at her.

Ellen shifted uncomfortably, her hands fidgeting at her sides. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks again, her embarrassment growing by the second. She opened her mouth to respond, but Edrick had already turned his head slightly, glancing through the window of the restaurant.

His grin widened as he looked back at her, a knowing look in his eyes. "Oh," he said, his tone laced with amusement. "I think I understand now."

Ellen’s heart skipped a beat, her stomach twisting into knots. "No," she blurted out, her voice a bit too loud and hurried. "It’s not what you think."

Edrick raised an eyebrow, his smile growing more playful. "What do you think I think?"

Ellen blinked, caught off guard by his question. She bit her lip, her mind racing as she tried to come up with a reasonable explanation. But nothing sounded right. Finally, she let out a sigh and shook her head. "The point is," she said, struggling to keep her voice steady, "I’m not hiding. I just... didn’t want them to see me."

Edrick’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, before a slow, amused smile spread across his face. He let out a chuckle, his shoulders shaking with silent laughter. "Ellen," he said, his voice warm and teasing, "that’s pretty much the same thing."

Ellen’s face burned with embarrassment, and she couldn’t help but feel like she was being caught red-handed. She looked down at her feet, unable to meet Edrick’s eyes. He wasn’t judging her—she knew that—but the situation was so ridiculous, she could hardly believe it herself.

Ellen glanced up at him, trying to muster some dignity. "Okay, maybe it’s a little like hiding," she admitted quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Edrick let out another soft laugh, the sound light and easy, as if he couldn’t help but be amused by the situation. His laughter wasn’t mocking; it was warm and genuine, which only made Ellen’s face grow warmer with embarrassment. the kindness in his gaze calmed her nerves a bit, and she found herself relaxing, if only a little.

Still smiling, Edrick glanced down at her grocery bags scattered on the ground. "Do you need help with your grocery shopping?" he asked. "It looks heavy, and I don’t mind taking you home."

Ellen’s eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly shook her head. "No, no," she said, her voice flustered. "You don’t have to do that. I don’t want to bother you."

But before she could fully protest, Edrick had already bent down, effortlessly gathering her grocery bags in his hands. . As he straightened up, he gave her one of those sweet, reassuring smiles that made her heart skip a beat.

"Nonsense," he responded. "You could never bother me, Ellen." There was a warmth in his eyes, a kindness that made her want to trust him, even when she was feeling so flustered.

Ellen opened her mouth to protest again, trying to find the right words to politely decline his offer. But before she could speak, Edrick tilted his head slightly, a playful glint in his eyes. "Or," he teased gently, "do you still want to continue your spying?"

Ellen’s heart jolted at the word, her pulse quickening. "No!" she blurted out, the word escaping her lips faster than she could control it. Her voice was a bit too loud, and she wasn’t entirely sure if she was saying no to the spying accusation or to the idea of not leaving just yet.

Edrick raised an eyebrow, his smile widening into a playful grin. He looked like he was about to say something more, perhaps tease her a little further, but before he could, both of them froze at the sound of someone calling her name.

"Ellen?"

Ellen felt her heart drop into her stomach as she slowly turned to look in the direction of the voice, her entire body tensing up. Edrick also turned, his expression shifting from playful to curious as he followed her gaze.

There, standing just outside the restaurant, was Mason. He had already stepped out of the door. His gaze was locked on them with a neutral and unreadable expression.